U.S. patent application number 10/104102 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-26 for construction for preventing a disengagement of a sealing packing and a cover provided therewith.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shibata, Takahiro.
Application Number | 20020135138 10/104102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18936931 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020135138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shibata, Takahiro |
September 26, 2002 |
Construction for preventing a disengagement of a sealing packing
and a cover provided therewith
Abstract
An arcuate sealing packing (10) has disengagement restraining
projections (11) that project on the outer circumferential surface
of opposite ends of the arcuate packing (10). The arcuate packing
(10) is mounted an arcuate portion (R) of a cover (C). The
disengagement restraining projections (11) are fitted inside
restraining surfaces (33) of the cover (C). Thus, even if a force
acts on the end of the arcuate packing (10) in a disengaging
direction the outer circumferential surfaces of the disengagement
restraining projections (11) contact the restraining surfaces (33A)
to restrain the end from disengaging in the radially outward
direction. Thus, the arcuate packing (10) does not easily
disengage.
Inventors: |
Shibata, Takahiro;
(Yokkaichi-City, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CASELLA & HESPOS
274 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
|
Assignee: |
Sumitomo Wiring Systems,
Ltd.
Yokkaichi-City
JP
|
Family ID: |
18936931 |
Appl. No.: |
10/104102 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/637 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J 15/061 20130101;
F16J 15/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/637 |
International
Class: |
F16J 015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 21, 2001 |
JP |
2001-080693 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A construction for preventing disengagement of an elongate
sealing packing (10; 20) to be mounted on an outer edge (R; S) of a
cover (C) by engaging recesses and projections, wherein the cover
(C) comprises a restraining portion (33A) for restraining a
disengagement of the sealing packing (10; 20) by contacting at
least an outer surface of an end (10A; 11; 20A) of the sealing
packing (10; 20).
2. The construction of claim 1, wherein the sealing packing (10;
20) comprises a first sealing packing (10) mountable to a first
outer edge (R) of the cover (C), and a second sealing packing (20)
mountable to a second outer edge (S) of the cover (C) and having an
end (20A) adjacent to the first sealing member (10).
3. The construction of claim 2, wherein the first sealing packing
(10) has a U-shaped cross section and is fiftable into a portion of
the first outer edge (R).
4. The construction of claim 3, wherein the second sealing packing
(20) is fittable into a mounting groove (32) of a rail (L) formed
at the second outer edge (S).
5. The construction of claim 4, wherein the restraining portion
(33A) is provided at an end of the second outer edge (S) of the
rail (L) so that the restraining portion (33A) can contact an outer
surface of an end (10A; 11) of the first sealing packing (10).
6. The construction of claim 5, wherein a mounting direction of the
second sealing packing (20) to the mounting groove (32) of the
second outer edge (S) is substantially normal to a mounting
direction of the first sealing packing (10) on the outer edge (R)
of the cover (C).
7. The construction of claim 6, wherein the end (10A; 11) of the
first sealing packing (10) presses an outer surface of the end
(20A) of the second sealing packing (20) to prevent the end (20A)
of the second sealing packing (20) from disengaging.
8. The construction of claim 1, wherein the outer edge (R) of the
cover (C) comprises inner and outer surfaces and locking recesses
(34A, 34B) formed in both the inner and outer surfaces of the outer
edge (R) of the cover (C), a plurality of locking projections (12)
formed on the sealing packing (10) and being engageable with the
locking recesses (34A, 34B) formed in both the inner and outer
surfaces of the outer edge (R) of the cover (C).
9. The construction of claim 8, wherein the locking recesses (34A)
formed in the inner surface and those (34B) formed in the outer
surface are displaced along a longitudinal direction (AD) of the
outer edge (R) of the cover (C).
10. A cover (C) having inner and outer surfaces and at least first
and second outer edges (R; S), inner and outer mounting walls (35)
extending in opposite directions from the inner and outer surfaces
at the first outer edge (R), at least one inner locking recess
(34A) formed in the inner surface adjacent the inner mounting wall
(35) and at least one outer locking recess (34B) in the outer
surface adjacent the outer mounting wall (35) and offset from the
inner locking recess (34A), and an elongate sealing packing (10)
having a fitting groove (13) mounted on the first outer edge (R) of
the cover (C), locking projections (12A, 12B) projecting into the
fitting groove (12) and engaging the locking recesses (34A, 34B) in
the cover (C) for restraining the sealing packing (10) on the cover
(C).
11. The cover (C) of claim 10, wherein the first outer edge (R) is
curved, and wherein the first sealing pack (100) is curved to
conform substantially to the shape of the first outer edge (R).
12. The cover (C) of claim 11, further comprising a second elongate
sealing packing (20) mounted to the second outer edge (S).
13. The cover (C) of claim 12, wherein the second outer edge (S)
comprises a mounting groove (32), and wherein the second sealing
packing (20) is fittable into the mounting groove (32) of the
second outer edge (S).
14. The cover (C) of claim 13, further comprising a restraining
portion (33A) at an end of the second outer edge (S), the
restraining portion (33A) contacting an outer surface of an end
(10A; 11) of the first sealing packing (10).
15. The cover (C) of claim 14, wherein a mounting direction of the
second sealing packing (20) to the mounting groove (32) of the
second outer edge (S) is substantially normal to a mounting
direction of the first sealing packing (10) on the first outer edge
(R) of the cover (C).
16. The cover (C) of claim 14, wherein the first outer edge (R)
includes at least one notch (35A), and wherein the first sealing
packing (10) includes at least one displacement preventing portion
(13A) engaged with the notch (35A).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a construction for preventing
disengagement of a sealing packing mounted along an outer edge of a
cover.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Rubber sealing packings 1, 2 conventionally have been
mounted along an outer edge of a cover C for a timing belt, as
shown in FIG. 10. The cover C has an arcuate end R, and the sealing
packing 1 mounted on the arcuate end R has a U-shaped cross section
for tightly holding an edge of the arcuate end R, as shown in FIGS.
11 and 12. Locking recesses 3 are arrayed at even intervals on one
surface of the edge of the arcuate end R, and the sealing packing 1
has locking projections 4 that correspond to the respective locking
recesses 3. The locking recesses 3 engage the locking projections 4
to prevent disengagement of the sealing packing 1.
[0005] The sealing packing 1 may work well over most of the cover
C. However, opposite ends of the sealing packing 1 have no locking
projections 4, and portions of the arcuate end R opposed to the
ends of the sealing packing 1 have no locking recesses 3. Thus, the
opposed ends of the sealing packing 1 may turn up locally and the
rubber packing 1 may come off entirely due to the turned-up
ends.
[0006] In view of the above problem, an object of the present
invention is to provide a construction that prevents a sealing
packing from coming off.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention is directed to a construction for preventing
disengagement of a sealing packing. The sealing packing is a long
piece that can be mounted on an outer edge of a cover by engaging
recesses and projections. The cover comprises a restraining portion
that contacts at least an outer surface of the end of the sealing
packing to restrain disengagement of the sealing packing.
[0008] The restraining portion can press the outer surface of the
sealing packing to restrain the end of the sealing packing from
disengaging even if a force acts on the end of the sealing packing
in a withdrawing direction. Thus, an engaging force of the sealing
packing can be strengthened.
[0009] The sealing packing preferably comprises a first sealing
packing mountable to a first outer edge of the cover, and a second
sealing packing mountable to a second outer edge of the cover and
having an end adjacent to the first sealing member.
[0010] The first sealing packing has a U-shaped cross section and
can fit into a portion of the first outer edge. The second sealing
packing preferably can fit into a mounting groove of a rail formed
at the second outer edge.
[0011] The restraining portion preferably is at an end of the
second outer edge, and preferably at an end of the rail. Thus, the
restraining portion can contact and press an outer surface of an
end of the first sealing packing.
[0012] A mounting direction of the second sealing packing into the
mounting groove preferably intersects a mounting direction of the
first sealing packing on the outer edge of the cover. Additionally
the end of the first sealing packing preferably presses an outer
surface of the end of the second sealing packing to prevent the end
of the second sealing packing from disengaging.
[0013] Locking projections may be formed on the sealing packing,
and locking recesses may be formed in both inner and outer surfaces
of the outer edge of the cover for engagement with the locking
projections. The disposition of locking recesses at both the inner
and the outer surfaces of the outer edge of the cover enhance the
engaging force of the sealing pack.
[0014] The locking recesses in the inner surface and those in the
outer surface preferably are displaced along the longitudinal
direction of the outer edge of the cover. Thus, a high engaging
force can be achieved even if the outer edge of the cover is thin.
Further, an engagement area of the locking recesses and the locking
projections can extend over a wide range by displacing the locking
recesses in the inner surface from those in the outer surface,
thereby further enhancing the engaging force of the sealing
packing.
[0015] The invention also relates to a cover for covering part of
an automotive vehicle, such as a timing belt. The cover comprises
at least one construction to prevent disengagement of a sealing
packing as described above.
[0016] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments and
accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though
embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may
be combined to additional embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment after
assembling.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of an arcuate packing.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an inner side of an arcuate
portion.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the arcuate portion.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a section of the arcuate packing before
assembling.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a section of the arcuate packing after
assembling.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an end of the arcuate portion
after assembling.
[0025] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the end of the arcuate portion
after assembling when viewed in another direction.
[0026] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art
construction.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a section of the prior art construction before
assembling.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a section of the prior art construction after
assembling.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The invention is directed to packing for a cover C that
covers a driving device, such as a timing belt of an automotive
vehicle. A bottom side of the cover C is shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.
However, the top side of the cover C is omitted to simplify the
drawings.
[0030] The cover C is integrally or unitarily made e.g. of a
synthetic resin and is comprised of a main plate B and sidewalls S
that project inwardly from lateral edges of the main plate B. An
arcuate portion R is formed at a bottom end of the cover C, and no
sidewall S is provided at or near the arcuate portion R. A mounting
piece F bulges out at a suitable position of each sidewall S and is
formed with a bolthole for mounting the entire cover C to a
support, such as a body of an automotive vehicle. Two mounting
pieces F are illustrated in FIG. 1. However, more mounting pieces F
are provided at different positions.
[0031] At least one bar-shaped packing 20 and an arcuate packing 10
are mounted on the cover C to seal between the driving device and
the cover C.
[0032] A rail L bulges out substantially in L-shape along the
projecting edge of each sidewall S. The rail L has a substantially
U-shaped cross section that opens toward the driving device. A
mounting groove 32 is defined inside the rail L for receiving at
least part of the bar-shaped packing 20. An intermediate portion 31
of each sidewall S within a specified range near the arcuate
portion R slopes down toward the arcuate portion R. A bottom end of
the intermediate portion 31 is aligned substantially with a
corresponding end of the arcuate portion R, and the intermediate
portion 31 is cut off substantially vertically to form a vertical
section 31A. The rail L substantially follows the configuration of
the intermediate portion 31 and the vertical portion 31A. Further,
a protection wall 33 is provided on the outer side of the rail L
between the intermediate portion 31 and the vertical portion 31A to
provide a double-wall construction. The protection wall 33 projects
a longer distance than the rail L.
[0033] Each bar-shaped packing 20 is made of a resilient material,
preferably a rubber material, that has a suitable elasticity or
resiliency and has a length sufficient to be fitted at least partly
in the mounting groove 32 over substantially the entire length of
the mounting groove 32. One end of the bar-shaped packing 20 has a
shape that conforms with the intermediate portion 31 and the
vertical portion 31A. Thus, each bar-shaped packing 20 is mounted
over the entire length of the corresponding mounting groove 32
while conforming to the shape of the mounting groove 32 and being
slightly pressed. Each bar-shaped packing 20 is dimensioned not to
project up from the mounting groove 32 where the protection wall 33
is provided, but projects up from the mounting groove 32 where
there is no protection wall 33.
[0034] A mounting wall 35 is formed along the outer edge of the
arcuate portion R and projects inwardly as well as outwardly on
both opposite sides of the arcuate portion R. Thus, the outer edge
of the arcuate portion R has a substantially T-shaped cross
section, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Two locking recesses 34 are
formed near the mounting walls 35 in each of the outer and inner
surfaces of the arcuate portion R. As shown in FIG. 1, the two
locking recesses 34B are formed near the ends of the arcuate
portion R in the outer surface and the two locking recesses 34A are
formed in the inner surface between the locking recesses 34B.
Further, narrow notches 35A are formed at positions on the mounting
wall 35 that substantially correspond to the respective locking
recesses 34.
[0035] The arcuate packing 10 has a shape that substantially
conforms to with the shape of the arcuate portion R. A fitting
groove 13 is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the
arcuate packing 10 and has a cross section that conforms to the
cross section of the mounting wall 35. Thus, the arcuate packing 10
can cooperate with the arcuate portion R and can be held tightly
with resilient forces acting from inner and outer sides. Locking
projections 12 project up and down in the fitting groove 13 of the
arcuate packing 10 and substantially align with and engage the
respective locking projections 34. Thus, the locking projections 34
prevent the arcuate packing 10 from disengaging outwardly.
Displacement preventing portions 13A are formed at the inner side
of the respective locking recesses 12 for preventing a
circumferential displacement in an azimuthal direction AD of the
arcuate packing 10 by fitting the displacement preventing portions
13A into the notches 35A when the arcuate packing 10 is mounted on
the arcuate portion R.
[0036] Disengagement restraining projections 11 are formed
integrally or unitarily at opposite ends of the outer
circumferential surface of the arcuate packing 10 with respect to
the longitudinal or azimuthal direction AD. Each disengagement
restraining projection 11 is substantially in the form of a
rectangular parallelepiped and has a thickness slightly smaller
than the arcuate packing 10. Outer circumferential surfaces of the
disengagement restraining projections 11 contact the restraining
surfaces 33A at the bottom ends of the protection walls 33 when the
arcuate packing 10 is mounted on the arcuate portion R. Thus, the
ends 10A of the arcuate packing 10 can be prevented from
disengaging. Further, the outer circumferential surfaces of the two
disengagement restraining projections 11 press the ends of the
bar-shaped packings 20, as shown in FIG. 2, and prevent the ends
20A of the bar-shaped packings 20 from disengaging.
[0037] The bar-shaped packings 20 are pressed into the mounting
grooves 32 and are compressed resiliently. Thus, the resilient bar
shaped packings 20 will not displace easily from the mounting
grooves 32. The bar-shaped packings 20 also are mounted to conform
substantially to the shapes of the intermediate portions 31 and the
vertical portions 31A. Thus, one end of each bar-shaped packing 20
faces the corresponding end of the arcuate portion R.
[0038] Subsequently, the arcuate packing 10 is mounted on the
arcuate portion R by pressing the mounting wall 35 into the fitting
groove 13 of the arcuate packing 10. As a result, the arcuate
packing 10 is brought resiliently into close contact with the
arcuate portion R. At this time, the locking projections 12A, 12B
enter and engage the corresponding locking recesses 34A, 34B in the
opposite inner and outer side surfaces to prevent the arcuate
packing 10 from coming off outwardly. The locking recesses 34A and
34B are offset with respect to each other in the azimuthal
direction AD of the arcuate portion R. Further, the displacement
preventing portions 13A and the notches 35A are engaged to prevent
a circumferential displacement along the azimuthal direction AD of
the arcuate packing 10 (see FIG. 7).
[0039] The disengagement restraining projections 11 of the arcuate
packing 10 are pressed into clearances between the restraining
surfaces 33A of the protection walls 33 and the opposite ends of
the arcuate portion R, as shown in FIG. 8, and are compressed
resiliently. Therefore, the disengagement restraining projections
11 do not separate easily from the inside of the restraining
surfaces 33A.
[0040] The disengagement restraining projections 11 are at the
outer sides of the ends of the bar-shaped packings 20 that face the
ends of the arcuate portion R, as shown in FIG. 9. Hence, the
disengagement restraining projections 11 press the ends of the
bar-shaped packings 20 against the arcuate packing 10 through the
openings of the mounting grooves 32, and prevent the ends of the
bar-shaped packings 20 from coming off.
[0041] The packings 20, 10 protect the outer peripheral portion of
the cover C from water when the cover C with the bar-shaped
packings 20 and the arcuate packing 10 is mounted on the driving
device.
[0042] An external force may act on the entire arcuate packing 10.
However, the engagement of the fitting groove 13 and the mounting
wall 35 and the engagement of the locking projections 12 and the
locking recesses 34 prevent the arcuate packing 10 from disengaging
outwardly. The engagement of the locking recesses 34A, 34B and the
locking projections 12A, 12B is made on both the inner and the
outer surfaces of the arcuate portion R. Thus, an engaging force of
the arcuate packing 10 can be strengthened. In addition, the
locking recesses 34B in the outer surface and the locking recesses
34A in the inner surface are circumferentially offset from each
other. The locking projections 12 and the locking recesses 34
engage over a wide range. Further, circumferential displacement of
the arcuate packing 10 is prevented by the engagement of the
displacement preventing portions 13A and the notches 35A.
[0043] A force may act on the end of the arcuate packing 10 in a
radially outward direction of the arcuate portion R. In this
situation, the end of the arcuate packing 10 tries to come off in
the radially outward direction ROD of the arcuate portion R
together with the disengagement restraining projection 11. However,
the radially outer end surface of the disengagement restraining
projection 11 is pressed in contact with the corresponding
restraining surface 33A of the protection wall 33 (see FIG. 8) to
prevent movement of the disengagement restraining projection 11.
This substantially prevents the end of the arcuate packing 10 from
disengaging.
[0044] A force may act on the end of the bar-shaped packing 20
adjacent to the arcuate packing 10 in a direction toward the
opening of the mounting groove 32. This end of the bar-shaped
packing 20 tries to come off in the direction toward the opening of
the mounting groove 32. However, the outer circumferential surface
of the end of the bar-shaped packing 20 is pressed by the outer
circumferential end surface of the disengagement restraining
projection 11 (see FIG. 9). Thus, movement of this end of the
bar-shaped packing 10 is prevented, thereby preventing the end of
the bar-shaped packing 10 from disengaging.
[0045] As described above, the disengagement restraining
projections 11 are pressed by the restraining surfaces 33A at the
ends of the arcuate packing 10. Thus, even if a force acts in the
disengaging direction ROD, the arcuate packing 10 does not easily
come off the arcuate portion R.
[0046] The locking recesses 34 are displaced circumferentially in
both the outer and inner surfaces of the arcuate portion R. Thus,
the locking projections 12 and the locking recesses 34 can be
engaged over a wide range in both the inner and outer surfaces of
the arcuate portion R. Such locking recesses conventionally would
not be circumferentially displaced, and hence could be formed in
only one surface due to an insufficient thickness.
[0047] Engagement of the displacement preventing portions 13A and
the notches 35A prevents circumferential displacement of the
arcuate packing 10.
[0048] Thus, according to this preferred embodiment, it has become
possible to strengthen the overall engaging force of the arcuate
packing 10.
[0049] The disengagement restraining projections 11 press the ends
of the bar-shaped packings 20. Therefore, the engaging forces of
the bar-shaped packings 20 can be improved.
[0050] Further, the disengagement restraining projections 11 of the
arcuate packing 10 prevent both the disengagement of the ends of
the arcuate packing 10 and the ends of the bar-shaped packings
20.
[0051] The invention is not limited to the above described and
illustrated embodiment. For example, following embodiments also are
embraced by the technical scope of the invention as defined by the
claims. Beside the following embodiments, various changes can be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention as defined by the claims.
[0052] The prevent invention is applied to the arcuate sealing
packing mounted at the arcuate edge in the foregoing embodiment.
However, it may be also applied to a sealing packing to be mounted
on a straight edge.
[0053] The disengagement restraining projections 11 are pressed by
restraining surfaces 33A that bulge out from the protection walls
33 in the foregoing embodiment. However, they may be pressed by
other members.
[0054] The bar-shaped packings 20 are pressed into the mounting
grooves 32 and held by their resilient reaction forces in the
foregoing embodiment. However, they may be adhered by applying an
adhesive to the facing surfaces of the bar-shaped packings 20 and
the mounting grooves 32.
[0055] The disengagement restraining projections 11 prevent
disengagement of both the arcuate packing 10 and the bar-shaped
packings 20 in the foregoing embodiment. However, separate
disengagement preventing members may be provided for the respective
packings 10, 20.
* * * * *